Liggett boys hockey having a strong season

Spencer Stefani and the Knights will attempt to compete for the program’s first state championship since 2012.

Photo by Deb Jacques

GROSSE POINTE WOODS — After leading Grosse Pointe North boys hockey for three seasons, coach Mike Maltese is now behind the glass for Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett.

At press time, the Knights were 11-3 overall.

“It’s like a dream job for me,” Maltese said. “I live right around the corner; I grew up playing in the Grosse Pointe area. You can’t beat having your own ice arena. (It’s) one of, I think, three or four teams in the state to have their own ice facility. … It’s a really great environment to be a part of.”

This season’s roster includes captain Dylan Paulsell, as well as alternates Matthew Moroun, Spencer Stefani and Sean Detloff.

Maltese described the leadership they have brought to the team as tremendous.

“It’s probably the reason why we’re so successful this year, so far,” he said. “We have 10 seniors on the team and a lot of upperclassmen. … Overall, the seniors (have) been great.”

Maltese also said that freshman goalie Grant Lindsay has been providing quality starts.

Liggett is part of the Metro League, and Maltese considers that to be a good way to help get prepared for the state playoffs.

The Knights’ first playoff test will be against the team that knocked them out of the postseason the last two seasons, Warren De La Salle.

The two teams will face off in a Division 3 preregional contest in February.

Ultimately, Maltese would like to help give Liggett the program’s first state championship since 2012.

“I think that’s what everyone has in mind,” he said. “That’s our end goal, but we have to take our short-term goals and go from there. But in the back of our minds, we’re looking to make a strong run.”

Paulsell would like to end his senior season in special fashion.

“Our main goal this year is to play that final game March 10,” he said. “It would be amazing for us. … I think we have the guys to do it.”

“We have set big goals for ourselves, and that’s to win a state championship,” Detloff added. “If we all put in the work together, we can make a run and make something special out of it.”

Maltese said Liggett has a strong tradition, and if things keep going the way they have, the program’s future could be even better than its past.

“We’ve had the highest numbers that I’ve known in the past three or four years since I’ve been around high school hockey,” he said. “We have 26 guys on the roster. … It seems like there’s interest in the program. There’s younger kids at the rink that are coming out, watching more games. It’s helping the program out in terms of numbers and getting more interest in the program.”